Timing Module for Regulating Hits by a Spidering Engine

ABSTRACT

A method and system for retrieving web-site based information by a spider engine at a target bandwidth is described. A target band width is received from the spider engine. A wait time is calculated by a timing module. Data retrieval from a web site is delayed by the calculated wait time so that data is retrieved at the desired target bandwidth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/758,282, filed Jan. 16, 2004, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference and which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/552,559, filed Apr. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,255.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to spider engines and, in particular,to regulating the rate of data retrieval by a spider engine.

2. Related Art

“Web crawlers”, “robots”, or “spider engines” are programs used toautomatically search the Internet for web pages or documents ofinterest. The information found by the spider engine may be collected,cataloged, and otherwise used by search engines. For example, a spiderengine may be directed to search for and collect particular types ofdata, such as product catalog information, or may randomly search andcatalog all found web pages to create a web index. The spider engine mayenter a particular web site, and search one or more web pages of the website for information of interest. The web site being searched maymaintain a large number of web pages. Hence, searching with a spiderengine may entail downloading, via the Internet, hundreds, thousands,and even more pages of information in a relatively short amount of time,from a single web site server.

Searching a web site in this manner with a spider engine may cause a website server to become heavily loaded with web page requests. A web siteserver may be physically limited to supporting a particular amount ofweb page requests at any one time. The loading due to requests from asingle spider engine may approach this web page request limit, andimpair the web server's ability to respond to other requests forinformation during this period. This overloading may be detrimental tothe web site provider's goal of making information available tointerested parties, and may discourage interested parties from visitingthe web site because they receive denials of service. Hence, what isneeded is a method and system for limiting such web site requests of aweb server by a spider engine, while still yielding acceptable searchresults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention prevents a spider engine from overloading a website with web page requests. The present invention includes a timingmodule that is coupled to the spider engine. The timing module of thepresent invention prevents the overloading of a web site server. Thetiming module monitors data transfer between the web site server and thespider engine, and provides the spider engine with information to adjustthe data transfer rate accordingly. The timing module can insert a“wait” state of a calculated length of time between data requests by thespider engine. By controlling this wait time inserted between datarequests, the timing module is able to adjust the overall data transferrate between the web site server and the spider engine to a desiredlevel.

The present invention is directed to a system for retrieving web-sitebased information using a spider engine at a target bandwidth. A timingmodule is coupled to or otherwise associated with the spider engine. Thetiming module includes a data receiver, a bytes accumulator, a currenttime determiner, a wait time calculator, and a wait time transmitter.The data receiver receives a target bandwidth, B_(T), and at least onebytes count from the spider engine. The bytes accumulator accumulatesthe at least one bytes count received from the spider engine to createan aggregate bytes count, bytes_(AGG). The current time determinerdetermines a start time, T_(START), and current time, T_(NOW), for theat least one received bytes count. The wait time calculator calculates await time as a function of bytes_(AGG), B_(T), and an elapsed time(T_(NOW)−T_(START)). The wait time is the amount of time the spiderengine should wait to initiate a next web-site data retrieval to reachthe target bandwidth. A wait time transmitter transmits the wait time,T_(WAIT), calculated by the wait time calculator to the spider engine.

The present invention is further directed to a method of retrieving website based information at a target bandwidth. A target bandwidth, B_(T),is received. The target bandwidth, B_(T), defines a desired informationtransfer rate with the web site. A wait time, T_(WAIT), is calculated.Data retrieval from the web site is delayed by the calculated wait timeso that the data is retrieved at the desired target bandwidth, B_(T).

A start time, T_(START), is calculated. Retrieval of data is initiatedfrom a remote web-site across a network. A number of bytes received isdetected. An aggregate bytes count, bytes_(AGG), is incremented by thenumber of bytes received. A current time, T_(NOW), is calculated. Thewait time, T_(WAIT), is calculated. T_(WAIT) may be calculated accordingto the equation:

T _(WAIT)=(bytes_(AGG))/B _(T)−(T _(NOW) −T _(START))

Further features and advantages of the invention as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present inventionare described in detail below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer network according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of operation according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary timing module, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of operation according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example Internet environment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified four-layered communication model supportingWeb commerce.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computer system according to an exampleimplementation of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-mostdigit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which thereference number first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Overview

The present invention prevents a spider engine from overloading a website with web page requests. The present invention includes a timingmodule that is coupled to the spider engine. The timing module of thepresent invention prevents the overloading of a web site server. Thetiming module monitors data transfer between the web site server and thespider engine, and provides the spider engine with information to adjustthe data transfer rate accordingly. The timing module can insert a“wait” state of a calculated length of time between data requests by thespider engine. By controlling this wait time inserted between datarequests, the timing module is able to adjust the overall data transferrate between the web site server and the spider engine to a desiredlevel.

The timing module of the present invention causes the spider module towait for a calculated amount of time after a data request before makinga subsequent data request. This adjusts the overall data transferbandwidth or rate to a desired level. For instance, the timing modulemay adjust the transfer rate to mimic that of an average user accessinga web site via a commercial computer modem. This includes any commercialcomputer modem transfer rates, such as 14.4, 28.8, 56, or 128 Kbits/sec.The timing module may also adjust the transfer bandwidth to equal anypercentage of the maximum transfer rate over time. This could include5%, 10%, 20%, or any other rate. According to the present invention, itis feasible to increase transfer rates during off-peak hours, such asovernight, to approach the maximum transfer rate, for instance, butdecrease the rate during regular business hours.

A template is coupled to the spider engine that provides usefulinformation to the spider engine related to a search. The template canbe written in a description language, for example. The templatedetermines for the spider engine: what data to search for, where thedata resides (location information), the nature of the data, and what todo with the data. For instance, the location information may include thelocation of data within a particular web page, and the location of datain a particular web site, or the like.

The spider engine with timing module of the present invention may searchfor any type of web site-based data and documentation. In an embodiment,the spider engine searches for web pages that represent resumes. Atemplate used for searching resumes by the spider engine can includecodes and descriptors for fields of information that would be found inresumes. These fields include “subject”, “objective”, “work history”,“education”, and any other applicable fields. A particular resume caninclude these fields in a single document on a single web page, or maybe divided among multiple web pages. These fields in the template assistthe spider engine in recognizing resume documents, and determining whatresume data is to be retrieved.

System Level Description

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer network 100, according toembodiments of the present invention. Computer network 100 includes aspider engine 110, a network 120, a web server 130, and a timing module140.

Spider engine 110 can be any spider engine known to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) from the teachings herein. For instance, the presentinvention is adaptable to both “indexing” and “directed” spider engines,and any other spider engine type.

In an embodiment, spider engine 110 creates an instance of timing module140 when needed. In alternative embodiments, timing module 140 isgenerated independently of its associated spider engine 110. Spiderengine 110 may create multiple instances of timing module 140corresponding to data transfer between multiple web servers 130. Timingmodule 140 can be implemented in software, hardware, or firmware, or anycombination thereof. For instance, timing module 140 can be implementedas a software module running on a computer system that is also runningspider engine 110. An example suitable computer system 740 for runningtiming module 140 is shown in FIG. 7, and is more fully described below.

Spider engine 110 is coupled to timing module 140 via data link 170.Data link 170 can be any data or communications link known to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein. Varioussuitable communication links are described below in relation to FIGS.5-7.

Spider engine 110 is coupled to network 120 via first communicationslink 150. First communications link 150 can be any suitablecommunications link for interfacing a computer system or other hardwarewith a network, such as network 120, as would be apparent to personsskilled in the relative art(s) from the teachings herein.

Network 120 can be any communications network known to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein. For instance, network120 can be a network such as a local area network (LAN), an intranet, orthe Internet. Examples embodiments for network 120 are further describedherein. An example network 120 can include an Internet 500, which isillustrated in FIG. 5 as described more fully below.

Web server 130 is coupled to network 120 via second communications link160. Web server 130 can be any computer system that delivers or servesweb pages. Web server 130 has an IP address and possibly a domain name.Web server 130 includes server software. Suitable computer systems forweb server 130 would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevantart.

Second communications link 160 can be any suitable communications linkfor interfacing a web server or other hardware with a network, such asnetwork 120, as would be recognized by persons skilled in the relativeart(s) from the teachings herein. Various suitable communication linksfor first and second communications links 150 and 160 are describedbelow in relation to FIGS. 5-7.

Description in these terms is provided for convenience only. It is notintended that the invention be limited to application in this examplenetwork environment. In fact, after reading the following description,it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how toimplement the invention in alternative environments known now ordeveloped in the future.

Timing Module

FIG. 3 illustrates an example timing module 140, according to anembodiment of the present invention. Timing module 140 comprises a datareceiver 310, a wait time transmitter 320, a bytes accumulator 330, acurrent time determiner 340, and a wait time calculator 350.

Data receiver 310 receives data from spider engine 110. This data caninclude a target bandwidth, B_(T), and one or more received bytescounts, for example. The target bandwidth, B_(T), is equal to thebandwidth at which data transfer between spider engine 110 and webserver 130 is desired to operate. In an alternative embodiment, B_(T),is not received, but is hardwired, made software programmable, or isotherwise set in wait time calculator 350. When spider engine 110engages in data transfer between multiple web sites simultaneously, atarget bandwidth may be received or set for each web site. A receivedbytes count is equal to the amount of data that spider engine 110receives in response to a particular request for data. Data receiver 310can also receive requests from spider engine 110 for timing module 140to supply it with a wait time, T_(WAIT). The wait time, T_(WAIT), is theamount of time that timing module 140 has calculated for spider engine110 to wait before making a subsequent data request, to maintain thetarget data transfer bandwidth, B_(T).

Bytes accumulator 330 maintains a running bytes count total of receivedbytes counts, to create an aggregate bytes count, bytes_(AGG). Therunning bytes count total is maintained on a per-site basis. Bytesaccumulator 330 can maintain separate bytes counts for data transfersoccurring simultaneously between multiple web site servers and spiderengine 110. The bytes count for a particular web site server is clearedbefore the first request for data, when determining a new wait time.

Current time determiner 340 determines a time at which a particular datarequest begins, start time T_(START), and a time when the bytes count isreceived for that data request, T_(NOW). Current time determiner 340 canalso determine the time at which a last of a series of bytes counts arereceived.

Wait time calculator 350 calculates an amount of time spider engine 110should wait to next initiate web-site data retrieval from a particularweb site, to reach the target bandwidth, B_(T), for that web site. Inembodiments, the wait time, T_(WAIT), is calculated as a function ofbytes_(AGG), B_(T), and an elapsed time (T_(NOW)−T_(START)). In anembodiment, T_(WAIT) is calculated according to the following equation:

T _(WAIT)=(bytes_(AGG))/B _(T)−(T _(NOW) −T _(START)).

Wait time transmitter 320 transmits the calculated wait time, T_(WAIT),that is calculated by wait time calculator 350 to spider engine 110.

The timing module of the present invention is not limited to theseimplementations. The timing module as described in this section can beachieved using any number of structural implementations, includinghardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The details ofsuch structural implementations will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

Operation

Exemplary operational and/or structural implementations related to thestructure(s), and/or embodiments described above are presented in thissection (and its subsections). These components and methods arepresented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Theinvention is not limited to the particular examples of components andmethods described herein. Alternatives (including equivalents,extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein)will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope andspirit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart providing detailed operational steps of anexample embodiment of the present invention. The steps of FIG. 2 can beimplemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.For instance, the steps of FIG. 2 can be apportioned between spiderengine 110 and timing module 140, or can be wholly implemented by eitherone of spider engine 110 and timing module 140. Alternatively, the stepsof FIG. 2 can be implemented by a single entity. Furthermore, the stepsof FIG. 2 do not necessarily have to occur in the order shown, as willbe apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings herein. Other structural embodiments will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion containedherein. These steps are described in detail below.

The process begins with step 202. In step 202, a target bandwidth,B_(T), is received. The target bandwidth, B_(T), defines a desired datatransfer rate with a web site, for example. As discussed herein,multiple target bandwidth values may be received, corresponding tomultiple web sites. In step 204, a start time, T_(START), is calculated.The start time defines the time at which data transfer is begun. Next,in step 206, retrieval of data from a remote web-site across a networkis initiated. In step 208, a number of bytes received is detected. Thebytes are received from the requested web server.

In step 210, an aggregate bytes count, bytes_(AGG), is incremented bythe number of bytes received. In embodiments where retrieval of dataoccurs more than once before calculating a wait time, step 210 includesthe steps of incrementing the aggregate bytes count, bytes_(AGG), by thenumber of bytes received, and returning to step 206.

In step 212, a current time, T_(NOW), is calculated. The current time,T_(NOW), is equal to the time that the requested data is received. Next,in step 214, a wait time, T_(WAIT), is calculated. In an embodiment,T_(WAIT) is a function of bytes_(AGG), B_(T), and an elapsed time(T_(NOW)−T_(START)). In an embodiment, T_(WAIT) is calculated accordingto the equation:

T _(WAIT)=(bytes_(AGG))/B _(T)−(T _(NOW) −T _(START))

In step 216, data retrieval is delayed by the calculated wait time sothat data is retrieved at the desired target bandwidth, B_(T).

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart providing an operational embodiment forimplementing the present invention with a spider engine and timingmodule, such as spider engine 110 and timing module 140 of FIG. 1. Thesteps of FIG. 4 can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or acombination thereof. Furthermore, the steps of FIG. 4 do not necessarilyhave to occur in the order shown, as will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) based on the teachings herein. Other structuralembodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s)based on the discussion contained herein. These steps are described indetail below.

The process begins with step 402. In step 402, a spider engine createsan instance of a timing module. As described herein, multiple instancesof a timing module may be created to accommodate data transfer withmultiple web servers.

In step 404, the spider engine passes a target bandwidth, B_(T), to thetiming module. As discussed herein, multiple target bandwidth values canbe set or passed from the spider module, corresponding to multipletiming modules and multiple web servers. In step 406, the timing modulecalculates a start time, T_(START). A start time is calculated forinitiation of communication with each web server. Next, in step 408, thespider engine initiates data retrieval. The spider engine can initiatedata retrieval from more than one web server. Then, in step 410, thespider engine detects the number of bytes received from a particular webserver. Next, in step 412, the spider engine notifies the timing moduleof the number of bytes received.

In step 414, the timing module increments an aggregate bytes count,bytes_(AGG), by the number of bytes received. The aggregate bytes countthat is incremented corresponds to the particular web server from whichdata is received.

In step 416, the spider engine asks the timing module for the amount oftime that the spider engine needs to wait, T_(WAIT), to reach the targetbandwidth, B_(T), for the corresponding web server.

In step 418, the timing module calculates the current time, T_(NOW).

In step 420, the timing module calculates T_(WAIT), where T_(WAIT) is afunction of bytes_(AGG), B_(T), and elapsed time (T_(NOW)−T_(START)). Instep 422, the timing module passes the calculated wait time, T_(WAIT),to the spider engine.

In step 424, the spider engine delays data retrieval by the calculatedwait time, T_(WAIT), so that data is retrieved at the desired targetbandwidth, B_(T).

These embodiments are provided for purposes of illustration, and are notintended to limit the invention. Alternate embodiments, differingslightly or substantially from those described herein, will be apparentto persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachingscontained herein.

Example Network Environment

The present invention can be implemented in conjunction with anycommunication network, such as the Internet, which supports interactiveservices and applications. In particular, the present invention can beimplemented in any Web service, preferably a Web service supportingsecure transactions, such as, the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocoland/or using a Secure HyperText Transport Protocol (S-HTTP). In oneexample, the present invention is implemented in a multi-platform(platform independent) programming language such as Java 1.1.Java-enabled browsers are used, such as, Netscape, HotJava, andMicrosoft Explorer browsers. Active content Web pages can be used. Suchactive content Web pages can include Java applets or ActiveX controls,or any other active content technology developed now or in the future.The present invention, however, is not intended to be limited to Java orJava-enabled browsers, and can be implemented in any programminglanguage and browser, developed now or in the future, as would beapparent to a person skilled in the art given this description.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example internetwork environment according tothe present invention. FIG. 5 shows a communication network orcombination of networks (Internet) 500, which can support the invention.Internet 500 consists of interconnected computers that supportcommunication between many different types of users includingbusinesses, universities, individuals, government, and financialinstitutions. Internet 500 supports many different types ofcommunication links implemented in a variety of architectures. Forexample, voice and data links can be used including phone, paging,cellular, and cable TV (CATV) links. Terminal equipment can includelocal area networks, personal computers with modems, content servers ofmulti-media, audio, video, and other information, pocket organizers,Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), and set-top boxes.

Communication over a communication network, such as Internet 500, iscarried out through different layers of communication. FIG. 6 shows asimplified four-layered communication model supporting Web commerceincluding an application layer 608, transport layer 610, Internet layer620, physical layer 630. As would be apparent to a person skilled in theart, in practice, a number of different layers can be used dependingupon a particular network design and communication application.Application layer 608 represents the different tools and informationservices which are used to access the information over the Internet.Such tools include, but are not limited to, telnet log-in service 601,IRC chat 602, Web service 603, and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)electronic mail service 606. Web service 603 allows access to HTTPdocuments 604, and FTP and Gopher files 605. A Secure Socket Layer (SSL)is an optional protocol used to encrypt communications between a Webbrowser and Web server.

Description of the example environment in these terms is provided forconvenience only. It is not intended that the invention be limited toapplication in this example environment. In fact, after reading thefollowing description, it will become apparent to a person skilled inthe relevant art how to implement the invention in alternativeenvironments.

Example Computer System

An example of a computer system 740 is shown in FIG. 7. The computersystem 740 represents any single or multi-processor computer.Single-threaded and multi-threaded computers can be used. Unified ordistributed memory systems can be used.

Computer system 740 includes one or more processors, such as processor744. One or more processors 744 can execute software implementingroutine 400 as described above. Each processor 744 is connected to acommunication infrastructure 742 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-bar,or network). Various software embodiments are described in terms of thisexemplary computer system. After reading this description, it willbecome apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implementthe invention using other computer systems and/or computerarchitectures.

Computer system 740 also includes a main memory 746, preferably randomaccess memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory 748. Thesecondary memory 748 can include, for example, a hard disk drive 750and/or a removable storage drive 752, representing a floppy disk drive,a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The removable storagedrive 752 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 754 in awell known manner. Removable storage unit 754 represents a floppy disk,magnetic tape, optical disk, etc., which is read by and written to byremovable storage drive 752. As will be appreciated, the removablestorage unit 754 includes a computer usable storage medium having storedtherein computer software and/or data.

In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 748 can include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into computer system 740. Such means can include, for example, aremovable storage unit 762 and an interface 760. Examples can include aprogram cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in videogame devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) andassociated socket, and other removable storage units 762 and interfaces760 which allow software and data to be transferred from the removablestorage unit 762 to computer system 740.

Computer system 740 can also include a communications interface 764.Communications interface 764 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 740 and external devices via communications path766. Examples of communications interface 764 can include a modem, anetwork interface (such as Ethernet card), a communications port, etc.Software and data transferred via communications interface 764 are inthe form of signals which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical orother signals capable of being received by communications interface 764,via communications path 766. Note that communications interface 764provides a means by which computer system 740 can interface to a networksuch as the Internet.

The present invention can be implemented using software running (thatis, executing) in an environment similar to that described above withrespect to FIG. 5. In this document, the term “computer program product”is used to generally refer to removable storage drive 752, a hard diskinstalled in hard disk drive 750, or a carrier wave carrying softwareover a communication path 766 (wireless link or cable) to communicationinterface 764. A computer useable medium can include magnetic media,optical media, or other recordable media, or media that transmits acarrier wave or other signal. These computer program products are meansfor providing software to computer system 740. For instance, inembodiments, spider engine 110 and timing module 140 are implemented ascomputer programs. Furthermore, the example modules of timing module140, shown in FIG. 3, may be implemented as one or more separatecomputer programs.

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmain memory 746 and/or secondary memory 748. Computer programs can alsobe received via communications interface 764. Such computer programs,when executed, enable the computer system 740 to perform the features ofthe present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computerprograms, when executed, enable the processor 744 to perform thefeatures of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programsrepresent controllers of the computer system 740.

The present invention can be implemented as control logic in software,firmware, hardware or any combination thereof. In an embodiment wherethe invention is implemented using software, the software may be storedin a computer program product and loaded into computer system 740 usingremovable storage drive 752, hard drive 750, or interface 760.Alternatively, the computer program product may be downloaded tocomputer system 740 over communications path 766. The control logic(software), when executed by the one or more processors 744, causes theprocessor(s) 744 to perform the functions of the invention as describedherein.

In another embodiment, the invention is implemented primarily infirmware and/or hardware using, for example, hardware components such asapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of ahardware state machine so as to perform the functions described hereinwill be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

CONCLUSION

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but shouldbe defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

1. A method for determining a time between transmitting requests fordata over a network to a server, comprising: establishing, at aprocessor, a time at which an initial request for the data istransmitted over the network to the server; determining, at theprocessor, a count of a number of bytes of the data received over thenetwork from the server in response to the initial request;establishing, at the processor, a current time, wherein the current timeis other than the time at which the initial request for the data istransmitted; and calculating, at the processor, the time betweentransmitting the requests, wherein the time between transmitting therequests is equal to a first difference, the first difference is equalto a second difference subtracted from a quotient, the second differenceis equal to the time at which the initial request for the data istransmitted subtracted from the current time, and the quotient is equalto the count divided by a target rate of transfer of the data measuredin bytes per unit of time.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingadjusting the time between transmitting the requests to mimicsubstantially a modem transfer rate.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising adjusting the time between transmitting the requests as afunction of a time of day.
 4. An apparatus for determining a timebetween transmitting requests for data over a network to a server,comprising: an input configured to receive the data over the networkfrom the server; an output configured to transmit the requests for thedata over the network to the server; and a processor configured toestablish a time at which an initial request for the data is transmittedover the network to the server, to determine a count of a number ofbytes of the data received over the network from the server in responseto the initial request, to establish a current time, wherein the currenttime is other than the time at which the initial request for the data istransmitted, and to calculate the time between transmitting therequests, wherein the time between transmitting the requests is equal toa first difference, the first difference is equal to a second differencesubtracted from a quotient, the second difference is equal to the timeat which the initial request for the data is transmitted subtracted fromthe current time, and the quotient is equal to the count divided by atarget rate of transfer of the data measured in bytes per unit of time.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configuredto adjust the time between transmitting the requests to mimicsubstantially a modem transfer rate.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the time betweentransmitting the requests as a function of a time of day.
 7. A computerprogram product for determining a time between transmitting requests fordata over a network to a server, the computer program product havingcomputer program code embodied in a computer-readable storage medium,the computer program code comprising: first program code configured tocause a processor to establish a time at which an initial request forthe data is transmitted over the network to the server; second programcode configured to cause the processor to determine a count of a numberof bytes of the data received over the network from the server inresponse to the initial request; third program code configured to causethe processor to establish a current time, wherein the current time isother than the time at which the initial request for the data istransmitted; and fourth program code configured to cause the processorto calculate the time between transmitting the requests, wherein thetime between transmitting the requests is equal to a first difference,the first difference is equal to a second difference subtracted from aquotient, the second difference is equal to the time at which theinitial request for the data is transmitted subtracted from the currenttime, and the quotient is equal to the count divided by a target rate oftransfer of the data measured in bytes per unit of time.
 8. The computerprogram product of claim 7, further comprising fifth program codeconfigured to cause the processor to adjust the time betweentransmitting the requests to mimic substantially a modem transfer rate.9. The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising fifthprogram code configured to cause the processor to adjust the timebetween transmitting the requests as a function of a time of day. 10.The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising: fifthprogram code configured to cause the processor to transmit the requestsfor the data over the network to the server; and sixth program codeconfigured to cause the processor to transmit the time betweentransmitting the requests to the fifth program code.
 11. A method forretrieving data over a network at a target bandwidth, comprising:determining, at a local processor, the target bandwidth, wherein thetarget bandwidth is a desired rate data for retrieving the data from aremote sever via the Internet to the local processor and wherein thedata is stored at the remote server in a manner unknown to the localprocessor; determining, at the local processor, a time at whichretrieval of the data from the remote server to the local processorbegins; determining, at the local processor, a time at which retrievalof the data from the remote server to the local processor ends;determining, at the local processor, a byte count of the data; andcalculating, at the local processor, a time span between instances ofdata requests from the local processor to the remote server, wherein thetime span is a function of the target bandwidth, the time at whichretrieval of the data from the remote server to the local processorbegins, the time at which retrieval of the data from the remote serverto the local processor ends, and the byte count.
 12. The method of claim11, further comprising adjusting the time span to mimic substantially amodem transfer rate.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprisingadjusting the time span as a function of a time of day.
 14. The methodof claim 11, wherein the function is equal to a first difference, thefirst difference is equal to a second difference subtracted from aquotient, the second difference is equal to the time at which retrievalof the data from the remote server to the local processor beginssubtracted from the time at which retrieval of the data from the remoteserver to the local processor ends, and the quotient is equal to thebyte count divided by the target bandwidth.
 15. An apparatus forretrieving data over a network at a target bandwidth, comprising: aninput configured to receive the data from a remote sever via theInternet to a local processor, wherein the data is stored at the remoteserver in a manner unknown to the local processor; and a processorconfigured to determine the target bandwidth, wherein the targetbandwidth is a desired rate data for retrieving the data from the remotesever via the Internet to the local processor, to determine a time atwhich retrieval of the data from the remote server to the localprocessor begins, to determine a time at which retrieval of the datafrom the remote server to the local processor ends, to determine a bytecount of the data, and to calculate a time span between instances ofdata requests from the local processor to the remote server, wherein thetime span is a function of the target bandwidth, the time at whichretrieval of the data from the remote server to the local processorbegins, the time at which retrieval of the data from the remote serverto the local processor ends, and the byte count.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the timespan to mimic substantially a modem transfer rate.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the timespan as a function of a time of day.
 18. A computer program product forretrieving data over a network at a target bandwidth, the computerprogram product having computer program code embodied in acomputer-readable storage medium, the computer program code comprising:first program code configured to cause a processor to determine thetarget bandwidth, wherein the target bandwidth is a desired rate datafor retrieving the data from a remote sever via the Internet to thelocal processor and wherein the data is stored at the remote server in amanner unknown to the local processor; second program code configured tocause the processor to determine a time at which retrieval of the datafrom the remote server to the local processor begins; third program codeconfigured to cause the processor to determine a time at which retrievalof the data from the remote server to the local processor ends; fourthprogram code configured to cause the processor to determine a byte countof the data; and fifth program code configured to cause the processor tocalculate a time span between instances of data requests from the localprocessor to the remote server, wherein the time span is a function ofthe target bandwidth, the time at which retrieval of the data from theremote server to the local processor begins, the time at which retrievalof the data from the remote server to the local processor ends, and thebyte count.
 19. The computer program product of claim 18, furthercomprising sixth program code configured to cause the processor toadjust the time span to mimic substantially a modem transfer rate. 20.The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising sixthprogram code configured to cause the processor to adjust the time spanas a function of a time of day.
 21. The computer program product ofclaim 18, further comprising: sixth program code configured to cause theprocessor to transmit a request for the data via the Internet to theremote server; and seventh program code configured to cause theprocessor to transmit the time span to the sixth program code.
 22. Anapparatus for retrieving data over a network at a target bandwidth,comprising: an input configured to receive the data from a server overthe network; and a processor configured to determine a time at whichretrieval of the data from the server begins, to determine a time atwhich retrieval of the data from the server ends, to determine a bytecount of the data, and to calculate a time span between instances ofdata requests to the server, wherein the time span is equal to a firstdifference, the first difference is equal to a second differencesubtracted from a quotient, the second difference is equal to the timeat which retrieval of the data from the server begins subtracted fromthe time at which retrieval of the data from the server ends, and thequotient is equal to the byte count divided by the target bandwidth. 23.The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configuredto adjust the time span to mimic substantially a modem transfer rate.24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to adjust the time span as a function of a time of day.